Framing Apparatus

ABSTRACT

Described herein is a picture framing system comprising a frame and at least one display panel. The frame comprises one or more first portions of a coupling mechanism and the at least one display panel comprises corresponding one or more second portions of the coupling mechanism. The frame further comprises at least one of a baseboard, sideboard, cross-bar, and support beam. The at least one of a baseboard, sideboard, cross-bar, and support beam may be one of coupled an integrated to another of the baseboard, sideboard, and cross-bar. The coupling mechanism is adapted to removably couple the panel to the frame without removing the frame from the wall or re-leveling the frame upon coupling a new panel to the frame.

PRIORITY

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/717,962, filed Oct. 24, 2012 and entitled Framing Apparatus, which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a framing apparatus. In particular, but not by way of limitation, the present invention relates to a framing apparatus adapted to quickly and easily swap at least one first framing apparatus display panel with at least one second framing apparatus display panel for a plurality of frame and panel sizes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Gaining access to a picture secured in prior art picture frames requires removing the frame from the wall, un-securing a rear panel from the frame, removing the rear panel from the frame, and then removing the picture from the frame. A second picture may then be placed in the frame, the rear panel may then be secured to the frame, and then the frame may be re-hung on the wall. The frame and associated second picture must then be re-leveled. With such a method and prior art picture frame, a great deal of time and effort is required to replace a picture in a desired frame.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore desired to create a framing system having a unique style and in which a picture may be quickly and easily replaced within the frame. Using such a framing system may enable a person to display a plurality of pictures for varying occasions, allowing a person to quickly and easily swap the pictures in the frame.

One embodiment of the invention comprises a picture framing system. The picture framing system may comprise a frame and a display panel. The frame may comprise at least one of one or more first portions of a coupling mechanism. The frame may further comprise at least one of a baseboard, a sideboard, cross-bar, and a support beam. Each of the baseboard sideboard, cross-bar, and support beam may be one of coupled an integrated to another of the baseboard, sideboard, support beam, and cross-bar. The display panel may comprise one or more second portions of the coupling mechanism. Each of the one or more second portions of the coupling mechanism may be adapted to removably couple to at least one of the one or more first portions of the coupling mechanism.

Another embodiment of the invention comprises a method of hanging a picture. One such method comprises hanging a frame to a support structure and coupling a first display panel to the frame at a first frame position. The first display panel may then be removed from the frame without at least one of removing the frame from the support structure and moving the frame from a substantially level position. The method may further comprise coupling a second display panel to the frame at the first frame position without at least one of removing the frame from the support structure and moving the frame from a substantially level position.

The above-described embodiments and implementations are for illustration purposes only. Numerous other embodiments, implementations, and details of the invention are easily recognized by those of skill in the art from the following descriptions and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various objects and advantages and a more complete understanding of the present invention are apparent and more readily appreciated by reference to the following Detailed Description and to the appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts a skewed front view of a framing system in a generally horizontal position comprising a frame having two sideboard/baseboards, two cross-bars, one support beam, and three display panels according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a frame having two sideboards/baseboards, three support beams and no cross-bars according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 depicts an end view of a framing system according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 depicts a front view of a framing system according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 depicts a close-up cut-away side view of a portion of a frame and a display panel according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 depicts a method that may be carried out with the embodiments disclosed herein; and

FIG. 7 depicts example sizes of a front view of the framing apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning first to FIG. 1, seen is one embodiment of a framing system 100. It is contemplated that throughout the application, the term framing system 100 may simply be referred to as a system 100. The framing system 100 of FIG. 1 comprises a frame 130 and three removable image panels 110 and at least one image panel coupling mechanism 120 associated with each removable image panel 110. The term “removable” and other related terms refer to an ability to quickly and easily couple and uncouple two or more objects in a repeated manner, without the need to remove any other portions of the frame (e.g., a back panel, etc.) or the frame from the wall. Although the frame 130 seen in FIG. 1 comprises a single frame 130, it is contemplated that the system 100 may comprise a plurality of frames 130 which may or may not be coupled together.

The displayed coupling mechanisms 120 in FIG. 1 comprise a plurality of first coupling mechanisms 120′ and second coupling mechanisms 120″ coupled to the frame 130. Each panel 110 may comprise opposing panel first coupling mechanisms 120′ (not shown) and panel second coupling mechanisms 120″ (shown). In one embodiment, a pair of second panel coupling mechanisms 120″ on a first panel 110′ may removably couple to a pair of second coupling mechanisms 120 _(A)″ located at a first frame position and/or first panel position. Such second coupling mechanisms 120 _(A)″ may be referred to as a first location second coupling mechanisms 120 _(A)″. Similarly, the pair of second coupling mechanism 120″ on a second panel 110″ may removably couple to the pair of second position second coupling mechanisms 120 _(B)″, while the pair of second coupling mechanism 120″ on a third panel 110″′ may removably couple to a pair of third position second coupling mechanisms 120 _(C)″. The pair of second second coupling mechanisms 120 _(B)″ may be located at a second frame position, etc.. First coupling mechanisms 120′ on the panels 110 (not shown) may similarly couple to the first coupling mechanisms 120′ on the frame 130. Each panel 110 and the frame 130 may comprise a greater or lesser number of coupling mechanisms 120 than what is displayed in FIG. 1.

The FIG. 1 coupling mechanisms 120 comprise magnetized/metal tab coupling mechanisms 120. However, other coupling mechanisms known in the art, such as, but not limited to, hook-and-loop and/or latching coupling mechanisms are contemplated. It is also contemplated that throughout the application, the term removable image panel 110 may be referred to as an image panel 110 or a panel 110. Additionally the term image panel coupling mechanism 120 may be referred to as a coupling mechanism 120. The coupling mechanism 120 may be coupled to a rear surface of a panel 110, as seen in FIG. 1, or may be coupled to any other surface of the panel. Similarly, although the coupling mechanisms 120 on the frame 130 are shown as extending away from a side surface of a baseboard 132, it is contemplated that they may be located in any other portion of the frame, such that they correspondingly align with the associated panel coupling mechanism 120. Furthermore, the positions of the coupling mechanisms 120 on the frame 130 and panels 110 may be adjustable/movable to accommodate various size frames and/or panels.

In one embodiment, the frame coupling mechanism 120 may be located in the cross-bar 134, sideboard 136, or support beam 138. Each of the baseboard 132, cross-bar 134, sideboard 136, and support beam 138 may be integrated (comprising a single unitary device) or each of the baseboard 132, cross-bar 134, sideboard 136, and support beam 138 may be coupled (separate pieces joined) together. Furthermore, the frame 130 may comprise a greater or lesser number of baseboards 132, cross-bars 134, sideboards 136, and support beams 138. For example, seen in FIG. 2 is one embodiment of a frame comprising no cross-bars 134, as seen in FIG. 1, and three support beams 238. Additionally, one or more ends 188 of one or more cross-bars 134 may extend beyond an outer surface 186 of a sideboard 136, and one or more ends of the one or more sideboards 136 and baseboards 132 may extend beyond an outer surface 184 of the one or more cross-bars 134.

The framing system 100 may also comprise a greater or less number of panels 110. For example, the system 100 may comprise a single panel 110 or may comprise a panel 110 for each coupling mechanism 120. Each panel 110 may comprise a separate image on a front surface of the panel or may comprise multiple images. The images may be related—for example, showing various portions of the same image, varying moments in time of the same image, or varying scenes related to a certain topic, or may be wholly unrelated. One type of panel 110 may be a canvas print which may be mounted on stretcher bars.

As seen in FIG. 3, a front surface 342 of the baseboard 332 may extend along a different, but substantially parallel plane as a rear surface 344 of the cross-bar 334. For example, an inner length 346 of the sideboard 336 may be greater than a thickness 354 of the cross-bar 334, thereby creating a first space 350 between a rear surface 357 of the cross-bar 334 and a first section of the frame 330, wherein the first section of the frame 330 may comprise a front surface 359 of the baseboard 332 when viewed from a first end 140 or second end 160 of the system 100, as seen in FIG. 1. Furthermore, and returning not to FIG. 3, when coupled to the frame 330, a front surface 312 of the panels 310 may be generally parallelly-aligned with a front surface 364 of the cross-bar 334. Alternatively, the front surface 312 of the panel 310 may not be parallelly-aligned with the front surface 364 of the cross-bar 364 or the front surface 359 or the baseboard 332. In either embodiment, and as seen in FIG. 4, in viewing the system 400 with the panels 410 coupled to the frame 430 a second space 470 may be located between a first edge 414 of the panel 410 and a second section of the frame 430, wherein the second section of the frame 430 may comprise the cross-bar 434 and a third space 480 may be created between a second edge 416 of the panel 410 and a third section of the frame 430, wherein the third section of the frame 430 may comprise a baseboard 5321. The first edge 414 and/or second edge 416 may be referred to as the at least one edge. A fourth space 490 may be created between the panel 410 and a fourth section of the frame 430, wherein the fourth section of the frame 430 may comprise the sideboard 436. Through the use of one or more of the first space 350, second space 470, third space 480 and fourth space 490, the panel 412 appears to “float” in the frame 430. This “floating” appearance occurs without the panel coupling to the same structure as the frame (e.g., the wall the frame is hung upon), but by coupling the panel 410 to only one or more sections of the frame 430, thereby preventing additional coupling mounts and holes placed within the frame hanging structure (e.g., a wall). As seen in FIG. 4, the coupling devices 420 are generally hidden from view. Although FIGS. 1-4 show the system 100-400 placed in a generally horizontal position, it is contemplated that the system 400 may operate in a substantially vertical or any other position, upon being hung on a wall or placed on another structure. Furthermore, one or more of the “space” terms herein may refer to a portion of the system 100 which, when the panel 110 is coupled to the frame 130, allows a portion of the wall or other structure the frame 130 is hung upon to be viewed between the panel 110 and the frame 130 when viewing the art on the panel 100. Alternatively, a portion of the frame 130 may also be viewed (for example, if the second edge 416 seen in FIG. 4 is extended closer towards the sideboard 436). Therefore, the panel 110 may be “off-set” from at least one of the sideboard 136, cross-bar 134, support beam 138, and baseboard 132.

Turning now back to FIG. 3, one baseboard 332 may comprise a size of about 1×3″ with the 3″ longitudinal axis 361 substantially parallel to the hanging wall surface. The sideboard 336 may comprise a size of about 1×2″ with the 2″ longitudinal axis 363 being substantially perpendicular to the baseboard 332 3″ longitudinal axis 361, and may couple a front surface 122 of the baseboard proximal an outer edge 124 of the baseboard 132, as seen in in FIG. 1. Similarly, the cross-bars 134 may comprise 1×1″ in one embodiment. It is contemplated that one or more portions of the frame may comprise a single unitary integrated unit. If the one or more portions of the frame comprise a plurality of portions, the portions may couple together.

Turning now to FIG. 5, seen is a close-up of one panel 510, panel first coupling mechanisms 520 ₁′ and panel second coupling mechanisms 520 ₂″, wherein the panel first coupling mechanisms 520 ₁′ and panel second coupling mechanisms 520 ₂″ may comprise one of a magnet and a metal tab, and a first second coupling mechanism 520 _(A)″ and a first first coupling mechanism 520 _(A)′ comprising the other of a magnet and a metal tab. As seen, the first second coupling mechanism 520 _(A)″ and a first first coupling mechanism 520 _(A)′ are coupled to an extension 521 from the baseboard 536 or may be coupled to the baseboard 536 itself. The panel first coupling mechanisms 520 ₁′ and panel second coupling mechanisms 520 ₂″ may comprise one of a metal tab and a magnet coupled to a rear surface 511 of the panel 510. It is contemplated that the metal tabs and magnets may be coupled to other portions of the framing system 100. Each panel 510 may comprise a second pair of coupling mechanisms 520 or may comprise yet additional or less coupling mechanisms 510. The tab and magnet may be any size. Additionally, the extension 521 may also extend in the first direction 502. In such an embodiment, the rear surface 511 may be located on a substantially different planar level as the front surface 522 of the baseboard 536. Furthermore, it is also contemplated that the coupling mechanism 520 may comprise clips, rails, nipples, receptacles, clips, and/or dowels.

Turning now to FIG. 6, seen a method 645 of hanging a picture. The method 645 starts at 605 and at 615 comprises a first method step of removing a framing panel from a frame. For example, a panel 110 may be removed from the frame 130 seen in the framing system 100 disclosed above with reference to FIG. 1. As seen in FIG. 5, the panel 510 may be removed my exerting a force on the panel 510 in the first direction 502. Furthermore, such a first method step may occur with the frame 130, as seen in FIG. 1, coupled to the hanging structure such as, but not limited to, a wall. One or more panels 110 may be removed from the frame 130 without removing the frame 130 from the wall or adjusting the leveling of the frame 130. At 625 a second step may comprise placing a new panel 110 on the frame 130 without either removing the frame 130 from the wall or repositioning/leveling the frame 130 after or before placing a new panel 110 in the frame 130, yet the frame 130 remaining at a level position. The level position of the frame 130 may also occur upon removing the panel 110. Placing the panel 110 in the frame 130 may occur by, as seen in FIG. 5 exerting a force on the panel 510 in a second direction 504.

By using the method 645 seen in FIG. 6 and the system 100 described above in FIG. 1 and elsewhere, it is contemplated that art may be quickly and easily removed from the frame 130 and subsequently replaced with new art. Features of the system 100 may comprise a frame portion and panels that may be scalable to any desired size and a frame system 100 that may be frequently modified between a portrait and a landscape orientation.

Seen in FIG. 7 is one embodiment of the invention showing dimensions of the system 700. Other dimensions are contemplated. For example, a cross bar 734 may comprise a length from about 10″ to about 40″ and a baseboard 732 and sideboard 736 may comprise a size of about 10″ to about 100″. However smaller and larger sizes may be used. It is also contemplated that expandable or telescoping cross-bars and mounting units comprising at least one of baseboards 732 and sideboards 436 may be employed. Such a framing system 700 may comprise a “floating” framing system.

An on-line ordering system associated with the embodiments disclosed herein is also contemplated. For example, a purchaser of a framing system may be provided a series of coupons for use at a website such that the purchaser may upload and/or select one or more items to print for display.

Those skilled in the art can readily recognize that numerous variations and substitutions may be made in the invention, its use and its configuration to achieve substantially the same results as achieved by the embodiments described herein. Accordingly, there is no intention to limit the invention to the disclosed exemplary forms. Many variations, modifications and alternative constructions fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosed invention as expressed in the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A picture framing system comprising, a frame having at least one of, one or more first portions of a coupling mechanism, and at least one of a, baseboard, sideboard, cross-bar, and support beam one of coupled an integrated to one of the, baseboard, sideboard, and cross-bar; a display panel having one or more second portions of the coupling mechanism, wherein, each of the one or more second portions of the coupling mechanism are adapted to removably couple to at least one of the one or more first portions of the coupling mechanism.
 2. The picture framing system of claim 1 wherein, the one or more first portions of the coupling mechanism comprises at least one of, at least one magnet, and at least one metal tab; and the one or more second portions of the coupling mechanism comprises at least one of the other of, the at least one magnet, and the at least one metal tab.
 3. The picture framing system of claim 1 wherein the baseboard, comprises at least one edge; and is one of substantially perpendicularly coupled and integrated to the sideboard proximal the at least one edge.
 4. The picture framing system of claim 1 wherein, the cross-bar is at least one of coupled and integrated to at least one of the, sideboard, cross-bar, and support beam.
 5. The picture framing system of claim 1 wherein the display panel comprises at least one edge, the at least one edge not contacting at least one of the baseboard, sideboard, cross-bar, and support beam.
 6. The picture framing system of claim 1 wherein, the baseboard comprises a base board front surface, the display panel comprises a display panel rear surface, the sideboard comprises a front surface and a rear surface; the cross-bar comprises a rear surface; at least a portion of the baseboard front surface is, operatively coupled to the display panel rear surface, one of integrated and coupled to the sideboard rear surface; and the cross-bar rear surface is one of coupled and integrated to the sideboard front surface.
 7. The picture framing system of claim 1 wherein, each of the baseboard, sideboard, and cross-bar comprises a first end, second end, outer side and inner side; at least one of the cross-bar first end and second extends beyond the sideboard and baseboard outer side; and at least one of the baseboard and sideboard first end and second end extends beyond the cross-bar outer side.
 8. A method of hanging a picture comprising, hanging a frame to a support structure; coupling a first display panel to the frame at a first frame position; removing the first display panel without at least one of, removing the frame from the support structure, and moving the frame from a substantially level position; and coupling a second display panel to the frame at the first frame position without at least one of, removing the frame from the support structure, and moving the frame from a substantially level position.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein, coupling a first display panel to the frame at a first frame position comprises, having at least one space between at least one first display panel edge and at least one of a sideboard and a cross-bar.
 10. The method of claim 8 wherein, removing the first display panel comprises separating a metal tab from a magnet.
 11. The method of claim 8 wherein hanging a frame to a support structure comprises, placing at least one joining device in a wall; and resting the frame on the at least one joining device.
 12. The method of claim 8 wherein, the joining device at least comprises one of a nail and a screw.
 13. The method of claim 8 further comprising, creating a frame comprising, a cross-bar having a first longitudinal axis; a sideboard having a second longitudinal axis; a baseboard having a third longitudinal axis; and wherein, the first longitudinal axis is substantially perpendicular to the second and third longitudinal axis, and the second longitudinal axis is substantially perpendicular to the third longitudinal axis.
 14. The method claim 13 wherein creating a frame further comprises extending at least one of a first end and a second end of at least one of the baseboard, sideboard, and cross-bar beyond an outer side of at least one other of the baseboard, sideboard, and cross-bar. 